The group photo of the 2013-2025 Pao Trailblazers event
Twelve Years of Memories
The photo of Candy Deng and her family from the 2013-2025 Pao Trailblazers event
On May 26, at the 'Trailblazers'event at the Wuding Campus, we, the parents of year 12 students, were welcomed by the sight of younger primary students joyfully running around the playground. The enthusiastic faces of those children made us suddenly realise that we, as parents, shared twelve years with our children at the school. These twelve years have seen our kids grow from innocent children into ambitious young adults. They have included countless moments of inspiration and growth for us as parents alongside the school.
Nurturing Values, Building Character
Candy Deng participating in Chinese Culture Week activities at primary school (front row, first from left)
Compassion, integrity, and balance are three words that resonate deeply with the parents and students of Pao School. The concept of 'compassion' nurtures the hearts of every child, while kindness serves to gently connect teachers, students, and parents.
Candy Deng playing in a football match (first from left)
I remember that when my child was in Year 3, students spontaneously organised a donation drive for books and stationery, receiving enthusiastic support from the entire school, including Year 1s. The pride and joy in their eyes as they delivered the items to underprivileged children revealed that the seeds of compassion had taken root. As they moved into middle and high school, this spirit continued, exhibited through events such as 'Swim for Love' and charity runs for vulnerable groups, including children with autism. Here, compassion is not just a slogan; it's woven into daily acts of kindness, shaping character through caring for others.
Open Minds Spark Exploration
Pao School embraces an open and inclusive educational philosophy, creating a vast space for children to freely explore. The school respects each student's individuality and academic pursuits, providing a rich array of resources and platforms to support their development. Here, every child receives attention and recognition, allowing their unique brilliance to shine.
High school varsity team photo (front row, second from left)
During primary school, under the guidance of the principal and teachers, the sparks of curiosity for academic exploration were ignited among the children, who began to engage in activities such as writing novels and debating. As they advanced to middle and high school, the principals maintained a culture of academic excellence. Teachers organised activities to facilitate deep exchanges between students and external scholars and experts, involving both lectures and hands-on experiences. These opportunities expanded the children's knowledge and kindled a passion for interdisciplinary research, helping them build a solid academic foundation while cultivating independent thinking, exploration, and problem-solving skills.
Sir YK Pao's motto, "Exercise persistently, work diligently, use sparingly," is instilled in all the children of the school, highlighting the importance of physical activity. My child joined the girls' soccer team in primary school, which strengthened her body and deepened her appreciation for teamwork and friendship. Alumni studying abroad return during holidays to watch games, reflecting the enduring bonds formed here. This is why Pao School nurtures so many talented young athletes; whether on the basketball or volleyball court, skilled players abound, with students achieving such high honours as the World Youth Fencing Championship trophy, consolidating the school's spirit of sportsmanship and educational success.
Building a United Community
The school encourages students to give back to the community, cultivating a sense of responsibility through practical experience. My child founded a dance club in high school, sharing her love for the art and creating a space for fellow students to express themselves through gesture and movement.
Children at the school have numerous opportunities to explore their creative talents, from primary and middle school choirs and string orchestras guided by teachers, to student-led art clubs in high school. At graduation, postcards and event backdrops crafted by the students leave parents in awe of their abilities and ingenuity. The children shine in so many fields they infuse the whole Pao School community with vitality and energy, as 'one cloud pushing another.'
Candy Deng performing in a choral ensemble at a primary school concert (second row, first from right)
Candy Deng performing at a middle school concert (first from right)
The selfless dedication of the parent committee members is equally inspiring—from 'Story Moms' to year-level parent representatives, they embody love and support for Pao School through their actions. It is this collective strength between families and the school that makes our community feel like a close-knit family.
Class Photo of Primary School Sports Day
Even after leaving campus, the nourishment of whole-person education endures. No matter how high the children soar, their memories will always bring them back to this ginkgo-shaded playground and these sunlit alleyways filled with meaning.
Twelve Years at Pao School
Twelve years have passed beneath the pomelo tree at Pao School. From young children to graceful young adults, the class of 2025 leaves behind not just the footprints of their growth, but a childhood they will cherish forever.
The photo of Tico Liu and his family from the 2013-2025 Pao Trailblazers event
Beyond the School Gates
When Tico began middle school at the Hongqiao Campus, he insisted on taking the subway to and from school by himself. Watching his excitement over his newfound 'independence,' his mother and I couldn't help but feel a bit anxious. One afternoon, when he hadn't arrived home by five, his mother, unable to hold herself back, called his phone. After the first call went unanswered, I quickly turned off the stove and joined the 'search party.' When I called again, I was relieved to hear his relaxed voice on the other end. He had been by the Pao Primary School gates hanging out with his classmates and was now on his way home.
Following this 'missing person incident,' we established a rule that he must inform us of any after-school plans. Tico still occasionally sneaks back to the primary school. Curious, I asked, "What do you do there if you can't go in?" He replied, "I like to hang out with my classmates by the gate, reminiscing about primary school, and I really hope I'll run into a teacher." This response reaffirmed that we, as parents, had made the right choice in schools.
Humans possess both reason and emotion. Reason is built through logic and experience, but nurturing emotion requires delicate care, genuine experiences and a resonance of the heart. A nostalgia for primary school lingers in the hearts of those children gazing at it from beyond the gate.
The Power of an Empathetic Teacher
At Pao Middle School, Tico's mischievous antics made me more 'fortunate' than other parents in getting to know various teachers and departments. While some parents focus on academic performance and graduation rates, measuring educational value solely by these standards overlooks a child's overall development. For us, what we value more is whether the school can provide professional guidance, emotional care, and genuine education when our child faces setbacks or makes mistakes. This is often lacking today, but Pao School offers comprehensive support.
Group photo from the Year 8 Promotion Ceremony at Hongqiao Campus, June 2021
When Tico began his boarding life at the Songjiang campus, he faced both failures and successes throughout this journey. I once asked Tico, "What do you most want to tell others about your high school years?" Surprisingly, he didn't mention his awards or secret chats with the principal, but instead the various conversations he had in the math teachers' office.
From a parent's perspective, these seemingly casual chats reflected the teachers' detailed understanding of his points of confusion, and their genuine care for him. Trust between teacher and student matter far more to us than the numbers on a report card. My sincere hope is that he may encounter teachers and friends as good as these in college as well.
Seventy years ago, on July 30, 1955, Sir YK Pao's first ship, the 'Golden Alpha' officially set sail, marking the beginning of his shipping empire. Pao School is like the Golden Alpha for our children, as they set sail this summer to begin their journeys to universities across the ocean. I know that as they bravely depart, the school gate in the little alley will always be a place they long to return to.
